Things to Do in Manila

Manila’s walled Old Town is a fascinating jumble of colonial architecture. The impressive Fort Santiago is unmissable, while Manila Cathedral (San Agustin, as it’s officially known) is one of the country’s four Baroque churches on the World Heritage register.

Halo-halo is an incredibly popular (and sweet) Filipino dessert made up of a mixture of ice, milk and fruit. There’s nothing quite like it to take the edge off a swelteringly hot afternoon.

The Jeepney – somewhere between a bus and a cab – is a popular form of getting around in the Philippines. Drivers invest so much time (and imagination) into the decoration of their Jeepneys that they have become a source of great national pride.

Tattooists, street performers and artists entertain people as they saunter up and down the promenades that run along the length of Manila Bay. As the sun dips towards the horizon, the sea explodes into a glittering kaleidoscope of colors. Truly spectacular.

Dotted all over the city, Manila’s shopping malls are incredible. Vast, sprawling affairs, you can find any number of goods at incredibly reasonable prices. So big are they, in fact, that the only problem is finding your way out!